SNP MP Martyn Day has pressed the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) again on the topic of Universal Credit payment rates for people under the age of 25. Earlier this month, the MP for Linlithgow and East Falkirk asked DWP if it has considered increasing Universal Credit payment rates for claimants under the age of 25, as they are paid £76.63 less than people over that age threshold, on the standard allowance.
In a written response to the query, Minister for Employment, Guy Opperman MP, responded that “no such assessment has been made”. And, unfortunately for those on Universal Credit under the age of 25, he gave a similar response to Mr Day’s follow-up question.
The MP for Linlithgow and East Falkirk asked if DWP has looked into the “potential merits of aligning Universal Credit for people under 25 with the eligibility of 23 years for the National Living Wage”. Mr Opperman responded: “No such assessment has been made.”
